MyStory

I have always dared to pursue the objects of my dreams. This is because I have an inspiration which drives me on. Let us begin with my mother. Coming from a poor rural village in Malaysia, my mother left the sanctuary of her home at 18 to work in the city of Penang. She gave up her studies to bring the dough home for her 4 younger siblings. She did not blame her father for the poverty but grind her teeth and took up the responsibility.

At the same time one of her brothers had kidney failure and my mother was paying for the dialysis. By scrapping and saving my mother sent money home regularly. She even managed to build her family a new house and start a business for my uncle.

Even after marrying and moving to Singapore, my mother’s commitment to her family did not waver. This time, it was her sister who suffered kidney failure. The prognosis was not good unless a suitable donor was found. Things look bleak for her 3 kids. My mum volunteered to be tested and unselfishly donated one of her compatible kidneys.

Just when she thought she has found and started her own happy family, my father picked up the bad habit of gambling. His earnings were erratic and it took all the efforts of my mother to curb his excessive impulses and hold the family together. She did her best to make our money go the extra mile. WHen times were hard, she would pawn her jewellery just to ensure that I have my pocket money and revision books.

My mother soon found out that not everyone values family ties as much as her. My father's sister collaborated on a business project with a foreigner and insisted that my father be part of it. Actually my aunt just wanted to use his name to register a company. The partner eventually ran away with huge debts incurred and all obligations fell to my father. My aunt refused to take responsibility and relationships became estranged. Even when my father was declared a bankrupt, my mother stood by him and made sure all domestic affairs are well taken care of so my father will not have to worry. She took up a night job as a coffeeshop casher to lighten his load. Even with such tiring commitments, my mother ensured the house is always quick and span, my uniforms will always be clean and well ironed and we have our meals regularly.

When my grandmother suffered from dementia, my mother fetched her to Singapore. Subsequently, my grandmother also had a full stroke. We could not afford a maid and my mother saw to my grandmother’s dietary, sanitary and all other requirements faithfully. I was enlisted in the army at the time and with no one else at home, my mother would carry her mum from the room to the bathroom for a bath all by herself.

2 years later, it was my father who suffered a stroke and my mother took it upon herself again to provide for him. She is his physiotherapist, his occupational therapist and much more. I took up the financial burden by  moonlighting while in the army. There were times when I had to give up to 11 tuitions in a week on top of my work commitments. All along the way my mother would encourage me and show me what it is like to perservere.

She has taught me many invaluable lessons of life, many of which I gleaned from her own life story.

Thank you my mother.